Hollywood Fashion: 100 Years of Hollywood Icons

Bette Davis (1908—1989) was a true Hollywood original—tart and edgy, she often played scheming, even ruthless women—and audiences loved her for it. Although Katharine Hepburn (1907–2003) easily carried off elegant gowns, she often played roles in male clothing—in Sylvia Scarlett she travels with a theater troupe dressed as a boy, while in Christopher Strong she is an aviatrix who favors flight suits. Yet Davis had the assured presence to carry off any ensemble ... from the brazen red ball gown in Jezebel to Dior’s New Look in June Bride.

Director Quentin Tarantino’s early 1990s’ crime duo, Reservoir Dogs and Pulp Fiction, introduced the modern hoodlum uniform of narrow ties and fitted black suits, co-opting the staid corporate look and transforming it into outlaw hip. He did something similar to spice up Uma Thurman in Pulp Fiction, adding a black bra beneath her demure white shirt. She first introduced women’s trousers to film in 1938’s Bringing Up Baby. When the producers balked at the idea, Hepburn walked around the set in her underwear until they agreed.

From the Publisher:

-- Style makers: offering biographies of the legendary designers and showcasing their most outstanding creations -- Style trends: exploring the social movements and cultural phenomena that affected movie costumes and further influenced how America -- and the world -- dressed -- Album of trendsetters: highlighting red carpet fashions and introducing the fans' favorite Blondes, Brunettes and Redheads -- Men of the decade: showing how male actors used fashion -- contemporary, historical or futuristic -- to create a character or enhance ambience.

Lupita Nyong’o's taste ranges from classic looks like surplice dresses, to wideleg dress pants, to African-influenced fashions. She doesn’t shy away from bright colors or bold prints but also looks stunning in neutrals and pastels. Also called the Jazz Baby, the flapper of the 1920s represented easy-going, unrepressed American womanhood in all its glory. The flapper drank and smoked, she danced to wild music, she bobbed her hair into a sleek cap, and rolled her stockings down below the hem of her short, fringed dress.

The first color telecast of the Academy Awards was in 1966, and from then on Hollywood provided enough glitz and glamour to bring viewers back year after year. Since 1970 the show has been broadcast internationally. At present, the Oscars are telecast in at least 200 countries and the Academy claims as many as one billion viewers worldwide.

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